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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Watches I'm Wearing: Citizen Stiletto AR3010-65A Review

This week's WIW review looks at the Citizen Stiletto AR3010-65A, one of the thinnest examples in Citizen's well-received Eco-Drive series of watches, which use a solar receptor hidden within the watch dial to recharge the watch's battery. Able to function without light for months on a full charge, if it sees the light of day on a regular basis, the rechargeable battery itself can go 10 years before it needs replacement. A close friend clued me into this excellent model when I asked him about his model, the AR3015-53E, which is the same watch in a sleek all-black configuration:

I tend to prefer steel-toned watches and lighter-toned dials, so went with the AR3010-65A. The Stiletto has a case that is 37mm wide and roughly 5mm thick. The 20mm lug width is proportional to the case size, and a standard width which makes finding alternative straps much, much easier. The bracelet is very comfortable, and adjusts down from a roughly 8-inch diameter to accommodate a 6-inch wrist, with one link to spare. I opted to swap it out for a cordovan patent leather strap to bring the watch more in line with the classic thin watch aesthetic of the Jaeger LeCoultre Master Grande Ultra Thin:

JLC Master Grande Ultra Thin

Citizen Stiletto on cordovan strap

Whether on a strap or the original bracelet, the Stiletto sits well on the wrist. It's small and sleek enough to serve dress watch duty, but has quartz resilience and just enough presence - especially on bracelet - to work as a daily wearer as well. I usually prefer watches with minute markers, but the gaps between the hour markers on the Stiletto are clear enough to allow for very close approximations when it comes to telling the time. Finally, the combination of the Eco-Drive solar-powered quartz movement and the lack of a date function - which is a plus in my book - means for very little user maintenance as far as resetting goes. If you're luck enough, like those of us in Hawai`i, not to have to worry about Daylight Saving Time adjustments, you may never need to fiddle with the crown for years on end.

What do you think of ultra-thin quartz watches, or the Eco-Drive line? Feel free to leave your comments below.